take it on the chin
idiomatic phrase
1
US
: to be badly damaged or affected by something : to be hit hard by something
The company took it on the chin as a symbol of the system in the Sixties. When it was accused of racism, sexism, anti-environmentalism, it reacted defensively, exacerbating the situation.—
Andrew E. Serwer
Andrew E. Serwer2
chiefly British
: to accept something difficult or unpleasant without complaining
… if their comments come with some criticism then ministers—and the advisers on whom they rely—must be big enough to take it on the chin.—The Western Mail
The Western MailExamples of take it on the chin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Executive compensation is always top tier, of course, but the difference now is that consumers are having to take it on the chin while the top brass get wealthier and profit margins get fatter.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 28 Mar. 2022
Because working-class people tend to have lower incomes and thus the smallest cushion to absorb rising prices, Nevadans take it on the chin when inflation remains high.
—Jim Carlton, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2022
Liberals may have to take it on the chin with the size and scope of the social spending package.
—Fox News, 15 Sep. 2021
Growth stocks, including Tech, tend to take it on the chin when yields rise, because they’re highly valued based on hopes for strong future growth.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2021
Trump need only look to presidents and candidates who had the White House snatched away, for an example of how to take it on the chin.
—Stephen Collinson With Caitlin Hu, CNN, 9 Nov. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Allison Morrow, CNN, 28 Mar. 2022
Because working-class people tend to have lower incomes and thus the smallest cushion to absorb rising prices, Nevadans take it on the chin when inflation remains high.
—Jim Carlton, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2022
Liberals may have to take it on the chin with the size and scope of the social spending package.
—Fox News, 15 Sep. 2021
Growth stocks, including Tech, tend to take it on the chin when yields rise, because they’re highly valued based on hopes for strong future growth.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2021
Trump need only look to presidents and candidates who had the White House snatched away, for an example of how to take it on the chin.
—Stephen Collinson With Caitlin Hu, CNN, 9 Nov. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near take it on the chin
Cite this Entry
“Take it on the chin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20it%20on%20the%20chin. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share